China and the U.S. have a history of cultural connections. In 1979, the two countries signed an agreement on culture cooperation.

Since then, several programs have been implemented. These ties include everything from medicine and sports, to dance and drama.

Politics aside, China-U.S. cultural ties are diverse, perhaps helping to pave the way for partnerships that go beyond kitchens, fields, clinics and stages.

CGTN’s Frances Kuo takes a look at some people-to-people exchanges.

Music and Theater

Chinese opera star Zhang Jun performed his re-imagination of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It was a full house for the sold-out, one-night performance in New York.

“I heard people saying that they were savoring the flavor of the show. They found it very interesting. I think it’s most intriguing that a Chinese performance can bring people closer to western literature classics. To me, being interesting is important,” he said.

The fusion of two cultures is what brings about these stimulating exchanges.

Last year, dancers from the U.S. state of Georgia made history in Beijing, becoming the first American dance troop to perform at the Chinese spring festival gala.

Science

In 2016, a fertility breakthrough left many questioning: how do you make a baby from the DNA of three people? The reproductive process involved people from across the world, but Dr. John Zhang from China’s Zhejiang province spearheaded it and led the U.S. team.

 

Sports

Over the decades, sports diplomacy has been responsible for a number of relationship building opportunities. For example a team of young baseball players made their way to Beijing, where they had the trip of a lifetime when they played and lived in the U.S. for a summer of baseball.

Cuisine

The fusion between the U.S. and China has given rise to Americanized dishes, such as General Tso’s chicken and fortune cookies. Chefs at the International Culinary Center in California cook up new ways to blend Chinese-American cuisine.